It seems that the Government after causing a disastrous situation in the exports of Punjab is now out to destroy our exports. Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan and the contribution of exports of Karachi Industries is 50% of total exports while it is being starved to death due to improper and inadequate gas supply, stated M. Jawed Bilwani, Central Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMEA).
He said that from 7th November, 2012 till today 10th November, 2012 continuously there is low gas pressure. He said that the Gas Pressure since last one year is miserable. Every Sunday Gas is not supplied to the Karachi Industries and apart from this every week, for three working days gas pressure is 1 to 11/2 psi for continuous 8 to 12 hours instead of the required 8 psi as a result of which the industries cannot run continuously with 1 to 1 1/2 psi gas pressure causing breakdown of production which is reduced by 40% to 50% resulting in immense losses specially to the Value Added Export Manufacturing Sector whose entire production schedule is greatly disturbed while the worst sufferers are the daily wage workers who remain idle and go back home.
Most important of all exporters are compelled to make air shipments which costs huge amount of money. As a result of this miserable situation 25 to 30 hosiery dyeing units have closed down within 8 to 10 months as well as 30 to 40 knitwear stitching units have been compelled to close down as well as many others.-PR